My birth name is Woodrow, which means "Row of the Woods". If you planted crops, you will learn that it is that row of the woods that will be the one most affected by our siblings of the forest. I do not know why I think this way. Maybe, they are telling me, I am their mouthpiece. So I played with an idea- Could a trail be the same as a row? For an old trail looks like a furrow(to plant seeds)and if you convince me there is a seed, I am prepare to expect wonders And with my poetic license, I used tale and I favor up woods. I was named my true trail name before I received my first breath.
I will never be a Thru Hiker. For the Appalachian Trail (a registered National Scenic Trail) is 2159 miles long (in 1996, but varies slightly every year); and I will never hike three miles of her. Appalachian means "never ending and she will always have a little privacy, no matter how much I walk all over her, she will always have a Hope Chest.". Mind you, in 1995, I spent seven months and three days, wore out four pair of boots and three pair of sandals, lost 90 pounds. But people's stories that I traveled most of the miles by vehicle were greatly exaggerated, But they were right about me riding the whole trail, it was on a shadow of a cloud. In 1996, I wanted to go most of the way (missing only a three mile section just outside of Monson Maine) without taking a single day off, with full pack, mine, a Dana Design, Astro Plane Overkill, 7300cubic inches, every inch in the same south to north direction, for on this trail, you never get lost, only delay. My longest delay was two days before I found a road(this was in Maine), So when I knew when I was off the trail, even by myself, I had to go back to where I knew I was last on the trail before the next step counted, and still moved like a shadow of a cloud and floated over the trail. I made it more than 1520 miles to Kent Connecticut from Springer Mountain in Georgia, Before missing my first day.
In May 1996, I made the feature story in "
Outside Magazine" and they could have charged the
author with plagiarism- because the Native Americans
have told the same story about me for many centuries,
where all the other Thru Hikers got together to
decide my fate. For how loud, foolish, no good, did not
have respect for any of them, in short, a real pain
with no use at all. Really, it was the Cherokee nation that
spoke of the grand gathering, where all the animals
got together to decide the fate of man and how they
would drive him from the forest; and each had
there turn. For some, Their strength, like the
cougar and the bear. Others, will use vemon, as the
spider, snake, scorpion. And others, their way will cause
illness when fed upon at certain times of the year.
All has spoken, but the chipmunk and now he had his
chance. "Listen to him, dear comrades, for he has
tales to tell. If you do listen, you will be surprize,
and quite entertain, while listening, you will go deep
within yourself. Much understanding, great joys and
sorrows, for they are one and the same. Look, joy is
only your sorrow unmasked. And the selfsame well
from which your laughter rises was often filled
with your tears. And how else can it be? The deeper
that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you
can contain.
Is not the cup that holds your wine
the very cup that was burned in the potter's oven?
And is not the flute that soothes your spirit, the very
wood that was hollowed with knives? When you are
joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find
it is only that which has given you sorrow that is
giving you joy. When you are sorrowful, look again
in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are
weeping for that which has been your delight." The owl
interuped, "Who do you think you are to side with him
when all the others had decided to banished him, we must be as one."
The chipmunk tried to continue, but the others got so
angry, that they attack him, he escape with his very
life. And to this day, you can still see the scars on him.
To the ones who wish to hike the Trail, you are known as Dreamers for you are asleep. To sleep, perchance to dream. Aye, there's the rub. For in your sleep, your perceptions are fragmented, narrow and isolated, made up of half remembered truths and out of context memories. Oh, but, sweet, sweet, dreamers- the feeling that you have on Springer Mountain in Amicalola State Park in Georgia will be felt again when you reach Mount Katahdin in Baxter State Park in Maine. But the ones who can hold that feeling every step of the way, are just starting to understand the spirit. So, who would like to hike the Trail? Without leaving the house? When you hike the Trail, you will see what Kings love to see and feel what prophets love to feel.
And to all you Thru Hikers: since I can never be one
If we shadows have offended
Think but this, and all is mended
That you have but slumbered here
While this visions did appear.
And this weak and idle theme,
No more yielding but a dream,
Gentles, do not reprehend.
If you pardon we will mend.
And, as I am an honest Puck,
If we have unearned luck
Now to scape the serpent's tongue,
We will make amends ere long
Else the Puck a liar call.
So, good night unto you all.
Give me your hands, if we be friends,
And Robin shall restore amends.
William Shakespeare- A Midsummer Night's Dream, Act V Sc I
Learn and use trail sense. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you(and not just the ones that look like you). Please do not burn plastics or metal cans. Carry out what you carry in. People with dogs should not camp beside springs. Remember, the ones who traverse the Trail are the ambassadors and teachers; and should act accordingly.
Please enjoy. Spread your wings and fly. On the strength of Eagle's wings, and as many months,
as the sun shines on the back of the tortoise.
In the late Third Age, Beorn was the chieftain of the clan of the Northern Men whose traditional duty it was to maintain the safety of the trade routes from Eriador to Mirkwood, particularly over the high pass of the Misty Mountains and across the Ford of Carrock. Bilbo Baggins attributed many strange characteristics to Beorn; whatever the truth of these stories, he was certainly a Man of great (oddly bear-like) strength, fiery temper and a suspicious nature. "The Tolkien Companion" by J.E.A. Tyler edited by S.A. Tyler in 1976.
Hobbit. See chapter 7 of the "The Hobbit(c)" a historical narrative of manuscripts known as "There and Back Again, A Hobbit's Holiday" written during the Third Age of Middle-earth by Bilbo Baggins Esquire, of Bag-End, Underhill, Hobbiton, The Shire, translated and published by J.R.R. Tolkien in 1937.
Thank you for reading my site. I love all my pages as I love this one, even the link to Outside Mag, for there's a line in that article(by all indications, he's having a ball) that describe my attitude of this life, and I wish all would have it. For the years on the trail, I haven't even harm a mouse. And why???, you first timers, read, and in doing so, enjoy!!! And to the old timers, who has seen my site from my beginnings and as seen how I(site) have grown, but I am like the trail, somewhere, somehow, there will always be changes(add ons). Last update, 4/24/00
Here some of my stories
'99, THE WANDERING
'98 thru hike
'95 and '96. It's here
Outside Mag. May, '96
